Provolone Cheese vs Shropshire Blue Cheese
Provolone Cheese is a semi-hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Shropshire Blue Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.
What Is Provolone Cheese?
Provolone is an Italian semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk with a stretched curd. It runs from the very sharp piccante, aged at least four months, to the mild dolce.
What Is Shropshire Blue Cheese?
Shropshire Blue is a British blue cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk, coloured orange with annatto and veined with Penicillium roqueforti. It is made much like Stilton but tastes sharper, and it matures for 10 to 12 weeks.
What's the Difference Between Provolone Cheese and Shropshire Blue Cheese?
- Origin: Provolone Cheese (Italy), Shropshire Blue Cheese (United Kingdom)
- Texture: Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan), Shropshire Blue Cheese (semi-hard)
- Aging: Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante), Shropshire Blue Cheese (10 to 12 weeks)
- Taste: Provolone Cheese (tangy), Shropshire Blue Cheese (sharp and strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Provolone Cheese | Shropshire Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | United Kingdom |
| Specific Origin | Campania, Italy | United Kingdom |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Semi-hard, artisan | Semi-hard |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | At least 4 months for piccante | 10 to 12 weeks |
| Taste | Tangy | Sharp and strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Provolone Cheese Taste Like Shropshire Blue Cheese?
Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Shropshire Blue Cheese brings sharp and strong character. On the nose, Provolone Cheese offers pleasant, contrasted with Shropshire Blue Cheese's slightly tangy. Aging plays into this as well. Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante develops a different profile than Shropshire Blue Cheese at 10 to 12 weeks.
Can You Substitute Provolone Cheese for Shropshire Blue Cheese?
In most recipes, Provolone Cheese and Shropshire Blue Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese reads as tangy while Shropshire Blue Cheese brings sharp and strong notes.
Which Is Better, Provolone Cheese or Shropshire Blue Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard, artisan cheese, go with Provolone Cheese. For a semi-hard profile, Shropshire Blue Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Shropshire Blue Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp and strong.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Provolone Cheese the same as Shropshire Blue Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Provolone Cheese originates in Italy, while Shropshire Blue Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Aging also differs: Provolone Cheese is typically aged at least 4 months for piccante, Shropshire Blue Cheese 10 to 12 weeks.
Is Provolone Cheese similar to Shropshire Blue Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Provolone Cheese for Shropshire Blue Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Provolone Cheese taste like Shropshire Blue Cheese?
Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Shropshire Blue Cheese is sharp and strong. Aromas also diverge. Provolone Cheese leans pleasant, and Shropshire Blue Cheese is closer to slightly tangy.
What is Provolone Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged at least 4 months for piccante. It originates in Italy.
What is Shropshire Blue Cheese made of?
Shropshire Blue Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using vegetable rennet. It's typically aged 10 to 12 weeks. It originates in United Kingdom.
Which should I choose, Provolone Cheese or Shropshire Blue Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan, while Shropshire Blue Cheese is semi-hard.